All Discussions Tagged 'law' - Atheist Nexus2015-03-31T20:54:23Zhttp://www.atheistnexus.org/forum/topic/listForTag?groupUrl=politics-economics-and-religion&tag=law&feed=yes&xn_auth=noDeath Penalty and Aurora Killingstag:www.atheistnexus.org,2012-07-30:2182797:Topic:20168372012-07-30T00:23:24.070ZNerdlasshttp://www.atheistnexus.org/profile/Nerdlass
<p>So, I was reading an article at CNN about the court holdings for J. Holmes and came across this nugget:</p>
<p>"Deciding whether to pursue the death penalty is a long process that involves input from victims and their relatives, said Chambers, adding that a capital case would require a finding of either extreme indifference or deliberation."</p>
<p>I haven't been one to follow death penalty cases, really, but this came a bit of a shock to me... I understand that for the families of victims…</p>
<p>So, I was reading an article at CNN about the court holdings for J. Holmes and came across this nugget:</p>
<p>"Deciding whether to pursue the death penalty is a long process that involves input from victims and their relatives, said Chambers, adding that a capital case would require a finding of either extreme indifference or deliberation."</p>
<p>I haven't been one to follow death penalty cases, really, but this came a bit of a shock to me... I understand that for the families of victims of murder, the need for closure and a sense of justice, but at the same time, this procedure set off warning bells in my mind. If it's justice to be served, and not revenge, why should the families be consulted? If the death penalty is revenge and not justice, then it stands to be refined or eliminated.</p>
<p>The other part of this question begs what do we do with the perpetrators of such heinous crimes? Whether or not Holmes is found mentally and criminally insane, he is a danger to society. I know the gut reaction is to put him down like a lame horse, but when it comes to peoples' lives, even the ones who take the lives of others, isn't that the time to think clearly, with precision and without emotion?</p>
<p>I grew up in Texas, where the death penalty is a given. I never really made up my mind on it. It seems that too many innocent people have been killed under this system, but when you have someone who so obviously committed the crime, is it right to take his life--and if so, shouldn't it be without vengeance, done as a preventative measure for the safety of society (to ensure he cannot take another life)?</p>
<p>What do you all think about the death penalty, in general, as well as specific to this case? What should be done? And what do you think about families having a say as to whether the death penalty should be sought for the murderer of their loved ones?</p>